The education sector in the country faced a rollercoaster of fortunes in 2025. While some government policies received acclaim, others faced backlash. The government had to back down on certain issues, while stubbornly sticking to others. The usual clash between the Federal Government and university unions, particularly the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), resulted in some agreements being reached. The year saw significant changes and controversies in the sector, including a new curriculum for secondary schools, the cancellation of the mother tongue policy, free technical education, renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU agreement, and a pause on computer-based testing for final external exams at the senior secondary level.
New Curriculum for Secondary Schools
The introduction of a new curriculum for secondary schools from the 2025/2026 academic session sparked controversy. Critics argue that the government is forcing subjects students weren't exposed to initially. The Senate is investigating, summoning the Minister of Education and relevant agencies to address the issue, prioritizing the academic future of students nationwide.
The Senate's action followed a motion by Senator Sunday Karimi, highlighting an abrupt and poorly prepared policy change by the Federal Ministry of Education and WAEC. Karimi pointed out the removal of subjects like Computer Studies and Civic Education from the WAEC syllabus for the May/June 2026 exam, despite years of preparation. This shift leaves students with only six examinable subjects, instead of the required minimum of eight. Adams Oshiomhole, another politician, criticized the 'culture of anarchism' in policy implementation, emphasizing the need for adequate resources and preparation before introducing new curricula.
Cancellation of Mother Tongue Policy
The cancellation of the mother tongue policy by Dr. Alausa sparked mixed reactions. While some experts supported the decision, citing its negative impact on students, the Babatunde Fafunwa Education Foundation, established by the policy's promoter, Professor Babatunde Fafunwa, disagreed. They attributed the policy's failure to poor implementation.
Transitioning to Computer-Based Testing
The Federal Government's announcement that final external exams would be computer-based from June faced strong opposition. The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) warned against the policy due to inadequate infrastructure and unresolved power challenges. Students had to write exams at odd hours, leading to widespread criticism. The policy has been postponed, and the National Assembly is proposing a three-year preparation period.
